# Grove City, Ohio

Grove City is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1852, it is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 41,252 at the 2020 census.

## History

Until the mid-19th century, the area that is now Grove City was a wilderness filled with oak, beech, maple, walnut, dogwood and other trees. The area's first European settler, Hugh Grant, operated a gristmill in Pittsburgh and transported excess goods down the Ohio River for sale, returning to Pittsburgh on foot. On one of these trips, he passed through the Scioto Valley region and in 1803, purchased the land that would become Grove City and returned with his wife Catharine to start a new life.
Grove City's official founder, William F. Breck, bought 15.25 acres of the farm owned by Hugh Grant Jr., son of the first settler in Jackson Township, then added 300 more acres intended for farming. Breck's original plan changed when he realized the potential for growth since Harrisburg Turnpike passed through the area to the state capital, Columbus. Breck envisioned a new village complete with a school, church, stores, blacksmith and carpenter shops. Breck formed a commission with George Weygandt, William Sibray and Jeremiah Smith and platted the village on the east side of Broadway in 1852.
By December 1853, the newly formed (but not yet incorporated) village of Grove City had 50 residents. The town founders named the village for the remaining groves of trees left standing after their initial clearing.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.36 square miles (42.37 km$^2$), of which 16.20 square miles (41.96 km$^2$) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km$^2$) is water.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 35,575 people, 13,946 households, and 9,585 families living in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 inhabitants per square mile (847.9/km$^2$). There were 14,720 housing units at an average density of 908.6 per square mile (350.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 2.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6%.
Of the 13,946 households 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.3% were non-families. 25.6% of households were one person and 9.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age was 37.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 27,075 people, 10,265 households, and 7,544 families living in the city. The population density was 1,941.2 inhabitants per square mile (749.5/km$^2$). There were 10,712 housing units at an average density of 768.0 per square mile (296.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 96.17% White, 1.54% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17%.
Of the 10,265 households 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.
The age distribution was 28.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median household income was $52,064 and the median family income was $62,059. Males had a median income of $40,599 versus $30,399 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,305. About 3.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

Grove City is operated based on a city charter that was originally written in 1958 and later amended in 1982. The charter gives the city's power to an elected Mayor, an elected City Council, and an appointed Administrator. The current mayor of Grove City is Richard L. (Ike) Stage.
Grove City is split between Ohio's 3rd and Ohio's 15th congressional district. The city is also split between Ohio's 3rd senatorial district and Ohio's 16th senatorial district and its Ohio State House Districts are OH-17, OH-23, and OH-24.

## Arts and culture

Grove City sponsors or hosts several events throughout the year, including its annual Wine & Arts Festival, Bourbon & Spirits Festival, and Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade.
The Grove City Chamber of Commerce hosts the Arts in the Alley Festival and Parade annually. A three-day festival, it will celebrate its 45th year in 2024.

### National Register of Historic Places

* Gantz Homestead
* A.G. Grant Homestead

## Public safety

Grove City maintains its own Division of Police located at 3360 Park Street in Grove City. The department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The current Chief of Police is Eric Scott.
Jackson Township provides fire protection for both Grove City and Jackson Township. The Jackson Township Fire Department maintains four fire stations (Stations 201, 202, 203, and 204). The department maintains a specialized hazmat unit. The current Department Chief is Randy Little.

## Education
### Primary and secondary schools

Grove City is served by the South-Western City School District, which operates two high schools (Grove City High School) and Central Crossing High School), three middle schools (Beulah Park, Jackson, and Pleasant View), three intermediate schools (Hayes, Park Street, and Holt Crossing), eight elementary schools, and a career academy (South-Western Career Academy) within the city.
Area private schools include Grove City Christian, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and Beautiful Savior Lutheran School.

## Notable people

* Gary Burley, former professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals
* Derek Combs, Mr. Football Ohio 1996; NFL player
* Richard Cordray, former Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
* Mike Mayers, Major League Baseball pitcher who debuted for the St. Louis Cardinals
* Craig McDonald, author, journalist
* Pat O'Conner, Minor League Baseball executive
* Ben Swanson, former professional soccer player for Columbus Crew

## Sister city

* Lübtheen, Germany

## Gallery

* Gold Star Memorial Monument
* Grove City Municipal Safety Complex
* A.G. Grant Homestead
* Grove City Police Memorial
* Grove City Medical Center Under Construction (2018)
* Gantz Homestead, built 1832
* Grove City Government Offices